Sumter, Clarendon hospitals ready for any effects from storm

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Sumter and Clarendon area hospitals made preparations to better serve their communities ahead of Hurricane Ian.

Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital COO Chris Powell said the Sumter hospital is ready for the storm's impact.

"We have ramped up additional supplies and linen, as well as food," he said. "Topped off our generators with fuel, so we have enough supplied to get us through the next seven to 10 days if there's any issues."

Beds are ready if employees need to stay overnight on the campus because of inclement weather.

Prisma Tuomey also made preparations to clean up our environment, including the construction site expanding the hospital's emergency department.

Powell added the emergency room will be cleared and ready to go to assist the community with its services. Ambulances will be out, but air travel will not be possible, he said.

"We're here for the community. Anything we can do to support the community, we're here as always," he said.

McLeod Health Clarendon Emergency Management Director Tony Dewitt said team members have evaluated staffing to ensure they have adequate staffing, supplies, food and power resources on hand to continue serving patients.

Rachel Gainey, CEO of McLeod Health Clarendon, said they started preparedness activities last week for its regional facilities from the Midlands to the coast.

"We wanted to assure that we were able to continue to serve patients in the seven-hospital system region that we serve," she said. "We have locally and throughout the system evaluated our medical supplies and drugs, our medical gases, fuel, food, facilities to ensure that we will be able to continue operations without disruption. We work with our staff and providers to make accommodations for anyone that may need to stay over the course of this event."

Gainey added they have made extra efforts with their community partners - emergency services and the fire department - to make sure the community is prepared.

McLeod Health is in a continued state of preparedness for any impact from Hurricane Ian and wants the communities it serves to be ready for the storm's impact. The health care network encouraged families to be prepared with a three-day supply of food and water for each family member, including pets, and consider packing the following items in a survival kit:

- 1 gallon of water per person daily

- Non-perishable foods

- High-energy packaged foods - Peanut butter, crackers, nuts, raisins and dried fruits, snacks, cookies, etc.

- Cellphone/charger

- Battery-powered radio/flashlight

- Sleeping bag

- Prescription medication - A two-week supply if possible

- Medical paperwork - Including insurance cards, a copy of all prescriptions and a list of known allergies

- First-aid kit